BY GLENDA WINDERS
Cass County is rightly proud of its history. Come here for a visit and you’ll discover the Cass County Historical Museum, the Cole Clothing Museum, the Museum of American Political Communication and the Iron Horse Museum for railroad memorabilia.
One of the county’s stars, however, is the State Theater in Logansport, which is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Courthouse Square Historic District. Even the land on which the building sits has a rich history. George Cicott, chief of the Potowatomie tribe, acquired it in 1829 in a treaty approved by President Andrew Jackson.
Cicott later sold the land to one of Logansport’s founders, who erected the structure that would become a dry goods store and furniture company. In 1937 the Logansport Theatre Corp. bought the building and updated it in the Art Moderne style to become the State Theater. It showed its last film in 2012, and today the State Theatre Preservation Society operates it as a venue for live performances. Try and catch a show while you’re here.
Another star in Cass County’s firmament is the Dentzel Carousel, a National Historical Landmark that also has a long pedigree. The animals were carved by Gustav Dentzel, a Philadelphia cabinetmaker and artist whose father had constructed carousels in Germany. The Dentzel Carousel is one of two in the whole USA. There are many Dentzels, just not the fathers masterpieces. The winner of the gold ring gets ONE free ride by redeeming the token they won. Effective May 27, 2023 rides will be $2 per rider.
Since its creation, the carousel has changed hands many times and been moved from city to city and park to park. Today, restored to its original colors, its permanent home is Riverside Park. The goats and reindeer, lions and tigers twirl around a specially made organ that plays lively tunes with the accompaniment of drums and bells. Large chariots accommodate parties who would like to sit together while they enjoy the ride.
The best part is that each time the carousel makes a revolution 70 silver rings and a brass one come out of a chute. The person who catches the brass one wins a lifetime pass to ride for free. Rides are only $1 each, but still.
For more information visit: www.visit-casscounty.com
